Betruger wrote:Maybe make a separate sex/religion/politics forum. Those three always get blood flowing and/or temper tantrums. Those inclined to debate those topics would have free reign as ever to do so, and those who aren't would have their friendly polywell-correct forum outside of that subforum.

I feel the same. I used to like the General forum for its non-polywell science posts, but lately its been a bit bland and offputting swamped by politics, economics and AGW where some people have entrenched opposing views and it degenerates into a slinging match. I know the climategate scandal is exciting, but with entrenched positions on both sides it gets a bit repetetive, boring and brings the whole tone down. I seem to correlate this change with the post challenging MSimon about political side-comments being dropped in here and there - and the community here supporting MSimon. I agree with the open policy, but now its escalated I find the noise level too high. Perhaps its better to put aside a corner soapbox dedicated to this.

A review of the last 25 active topics shows only 3 were SCIENCE, 21 were POLITICS/CLIMATE of which 15 were authored by Jccarlton or MSimon.

A new forum "Politics - discussion of politics, religion, global warming and all other provocative topics with entrenched opposing positions" or alternatively a new forum "Other science - interesting non-polywell stuff that used to be discussed in General" might be useful in keeping the noise down. I hope its not too presumptive to run a poll, but I'm interested in what people think, so here goes...

In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.

What about the politics of science? Y'know, Thomas Kuhn type stuff? I think AGW discussions belong in General. All the other stuff should end with a hypoerlink into the "non-science aspect" discussion forum.

The rancor and vitriol on the politics threads does not serve the purpose of this site. I would propose an alternative board/website for politics, not another forum on talk-polywell. Spitting piss and vinegar at each other does not advance fusion technology. If the traffic on T-P goes down as a result, so be it.